VANCOUVER — Canpotex Ltd. – the Saskatchewan potash export agency – is set to nearly double potash shipments through two West Coast Canadian ports.

Canpotex plans to spend more than $500 million to increase shipping capacity from 12 to 23 million tonnes per year.

Approximately half of this increase will be accommodated by an expansion adjacent to the Port Metro Vancouver’s Neptune Bulk Terminals in North Vancouver. The remaining tonnage will be shipped through a new terminal planned for Ridley Island near Prince Rupert.

"We are encouraged that this important Canadian commodity will continue to be shipped through Canadian ports, and at substantially increased volumes," said Captain Gordon Houston, president and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver. "We look forward to expanding our existing potash capacity, which aligns with our goal of providing excellent service, facilities and reliability to Canadian exporters."

Canpotex is the world’s largest exporter of potash. Operating since 1972, the company’s potash sales are currently in the range of 10 million metric tons a year. Major international markets include Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia.